'Titanic' Humidor Sells for $41,000

A
walnut humidor owned by the Captain of the ill-fated Titanic passenger
liner has been sold for £25,000 ($41,000).

The humidor, a gift
from White Star Lines to Captain Edward John Smith, had remained
undisturbed for decades before auctioneer John Crane spotted it while
valuing some antiques in Liverpool, England.

"I must admit, a
tingle went down my spine," Crane said in an interview. "It's a most
astonishing find. It had been lying on top of a bedroom cabinet for
years."

The humidor, inscribed
with Captain Smith's initials, was bought at auction by Titanic
memorabilia collector—and cigar lover—Henrik Stuifbergen from Stockholm.

"It was at the limit
of what I wanted to spend," he said, "So I was delighted when I heard
the gavel go down! It's very unusual to find something so closely linked
with Captain Smith."

Stuifbergen, a member of the Stockholm Cigar
Society, intends to lend the humidor to Titanic exhibitions across
Europe in the coming months. But beforehand, he will share a special
smoke with his cigar buddies.

"Captain Smith loved fine, Cuban cigars,"
said Stuifbergen. "So I have promised to let each member of our club
select a Havana from the box and smoke it in Captain Smith's memory
before the humidor goes to exhibition."

Captain Smith was
known to love cigars and family members have since recalled how he used
to demand absolute peace and tranquility to enjoy smoking in his study.
At the recent auction at Cato Crane Auctioneers in Liverpool, bidders
from across the globe vied via phone and in person to buy the unique
piece of history.